Thursday evening at 18:51hrs., the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, Odessa and Townsend Fire Companies were alerted for a house fire in the area of Ashland Street and New Street. Rescue 27 was the first unit to respond 3 minutes from dispatch and requested the alarm redispatched as a working house fire due to seeing the column of smoke while responding. This added Port Penn and Citizens Hose Company of Smyrna. The apparatus arrived on scene with fire showing from the residence. The crew from Rescue 27 deployed two hand lines and knocked down the fire quickly. Quint 1-7 arrived right behind the Rescue and positioned themselves in the neighboring driveway and began deploying ground ladders to the residence. Mutual aid companies assisted with victim search and overhaul. Crews operated the fire scene for almost 2 hours. The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.